Solvent for liquid ingredients to be used in effervescent products

ABSTRACT

An effervescent compound is disclosed which includes a solvent and an effervescent system. The solvent may be both hydrophilic and have low solubility with organic effervescent ingredients. The solvent may include a glycol ether, for example, but not limited to, 2-butoxyethanol. The effervescent system used in the effervescent compound may be, for example, but is not limited to, expanded sodium perborate or a mixture of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, and an acid. The effervescent compound may further include any one, or all, or any combination of the following ingredients: surfactants, bleaching compositions, anti-redeposition agents, binders, lubricants, colors, fragrances, and/or optical brighteners. Also disclosed is a method for making an effervescent compound, including the steps of providing a solvent, providing an effervescent system in powder form, and mixing the solvent with the effervescent system, thereby producing a free-flowing effervescent compound. The method disclosed may also include the steps of compressing the effervescent compound, and then forming either granules or a tablet.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY AND CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication entitled, “Solvent for Liquid Ingredients to Be Used inEffervescent Products,” filed on Mar. 9, 2001, and accorded Ser. No.09/803,130, and claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional patentapplication entitled “Solvent for Liquid Ingredients to be Used inEffervescent Products” filed on Nov. 3, 2000 and accorded Ser. No.60/245,850, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference. Thisapplication is related to co-pending U.S. provisional patent applicationentitled “Carrier for Liquid Ingredients to be Used in EffervescentProducts” filed on Nov. 3, 2000 and accorded Ser. No. 60/245,614, whichis entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally related to use of a solvent forliquid ingredients to be used in cleaning products, and, moreparticularly, is related to a method for producing effervescing productsfrom liquid ingredients.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One major limitation in effervescent cleaning, disinfecting, or otherproducts was the amount and type of active ingredients that could beincorporated into effervescent formulations. Generally, less than 25% byweight of the tablet was available for active ingredients. Typically.surfactants, e.g., anionic, nonionic, cationic and amphoteric, could beused at no more than 5% of the formulas because these ingredientsreduced the storage stability of carbonate-based effervescent products,made conventional granulation or tableting difficult or impossible anddramatically increased the dissolution time of the resulting products.Many surfactants are available only as liquids containing water oralcohol and could not be employed at any useful level innon-effervescent formulas. Generally, solvents were incompatible witheffervescent products. They were either very hydrophobic and wereincompatible with aqueous systems or are sufficiently hydrophilic toinitiate the effervescent reaction, thus making the product unstable.Previously, solvents were primarily used in effervescent tabletproduction for wet granulation and had to be evaporated off to producethe finished tablet.

As noted previously, in typical effervescent tablets, less than 25% byweight of the tablet was usually available for ingredients other thanthe effervescent system. For example, although up to 75% by weight ofthe tablet weight could be a binder, 10% to 25% was typically used. Theeffervescent system typically accounted for up to 50% of the tablets. Itshould be noted that the more of the effervescent system that was used,the quicker the tablet dissolved. Lubricants, which help in tabletproduction, comprise up to 10% by weight of the tablet. Fragrance andcolor make up less than 2% of the tablet. It was found that high levelsof fragrance adversely affected tablet stability, dissolution, hardnessand tablet production.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides both an effervescent compound and amethod for making an effervescent compound. Briefly described, theeffervescent compound includes both a solvent and an effervescentsystem. The solvent of the effervescent compound is compatible with theeffervescent system and may be both hydrophilic and have low solubilitywith effervescent ingredients. In general terms, the solvent may includealcohols, glycols or glycol ethers. The effervescent system of theeffervescent compound may include either expanded anhydrous sodiumperborate and/or a mixture of an acid and one or more of sodiumbicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate and potassiumcarbonate. The compound may further include any one, all, or anycombination of the following ingredients: a surfactant, bleachingcomposition, an anti-redeposition agent, a binder, a lubricant, a color,a fragrance, and/or an optical brightener.

The present invention can also be viewed as providing a method formaking an effervescent compound. In this regard, the method can bebroadly summarized by the following steps: providing a solvent;providing an effervescent system in powder form; and mixing the solventwith the effervescent system, thereby producing a free-flowingeffervescent compound. Alternative embodiments of the present inventioninclude the further steps of compressing the effervescent compound andforming granules of the effervescent compound. Further, in analternative embodiment, the method may also include compressing theeffervescent compound and forming a tablet from the effervescentcompound.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features, andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is able to solve the aforementioned deficienciesand inadequacies by using in an effervescent compound a solvent that iscompatible with effervescent ingredients. Thus, the present inventionincludes a solvent in effervescent compounds in the form of tablets,granules or powders. The solvent of the present invention can be used todissolve many active ingredients, which results in an improvedsolubility rate for the effervescent compound. In various embodiments ofthe present invention, many different solvents may be used. In thepreferred embodiment, the solvent is sufficiently hydrophilic to be usedin aqueous products, but does not initiate an effervescent reaction withthe effervescent ingredients of the effervescent compound. Preferably,the solvent can also be used as an active ingredient in the effervescentcompound. In one embodiment of the present invention, the solventincludes a glycol ether. In the preferred embodiment, the solventcomprises, for example, but is not limited to, 2-butoxyethanol. Solventsof this type used in the present invention do not adversely affecteither the physical or chemical stability of the effervescent compound,and also provide the possibility of tabulating or granulating theeffervescent compound.

The effervescent compound including the solvent of the present inventionmay be formed into a tablet. “Tablet” means both tablets and thegranular form of effervescent products. “Granular” means uniform-sizedcompressed mixtures. These tablets are shelf stable and have goodphysical properties. For example, but not limited to these physicalcharacteristics, the tablets may be hard; non-friable; of minimum size,both in weight and dimension for the application; and have an increaseddissolution rate over tablets not made with the solvent of the presentinvention.

The effervescent system of the present invention may be, for example,but is not limited to, expanded anhydrous sodium perborate (ESPB),and/or a mixture of an acid and one or more of sodium bicarbonate,sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate.Typically, the effervescent system is in a powdered form. If ESPB isused as the effervescent system, the solvent may be present in theeffervescent compound of the present invention in an amount up toapproximately 50% by weight of the composition. If, however, acarbonate/acid effervescent system is used the solvent may be used up toan amount of approximately 35% by weight of the effervescent compound.If the solvent is used alone with the effervescent system, and no otheringredients are added, the solvent itself may act as a cleaningingredient, including, for example, but not limited to, a “degreaser,”which is a compound that will render oils miscible with water.

Many other ingredients, preferably in powder form, may also be added tothe solvent and included in the effervescent compound. Desirable, butnot necessary, characteristics of these ingredients include beingcompressible, free-flowing, concentrated, and not being sticky. Theseingredients include, but are not limited to, the following: surfactants,bleaching compositions, optical brighteners, anti-redeposition agents,binders, lubricants, colors, and/or fragrances. These ingredients may beused in any combination, depending on the application sought for theeffervescent compound of the present invention.

Examples of surfactants that may be added to the effervescent compoundinclude, but are not limited to: synthetic anionic surfactants which aregenerally water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulfates andsulfonates, non-ionic surfactants which are generally the reactionproducts of alkylene oxide with alkyl phenol or primary or secondaryalcohols or are amine oxides, phosphine oxides or dialkyl sulphoxides,amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants and/or soaps. Examples of thebleaching composition that may be used include, but are not limited to,chlorinated isocyanurates, perborate hydrates, persulfates orpercarbonates. Examples of the anti-redeposition agent include, but arenot limited to, acrylates and cellulose derivatives. The binder used inthe effervescent compound may include, for example, but is not limitedto, starch and starch derivatives, cellulose and cellulose derivatives.,carbohydrate gums, sugars, resins, proteins and inorganic salts.Examples of the lubricant include, but are not limited to sodiumbenzoate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate, aluminum stearate,stearic acid, mineral oil and polyethylene glycol.

There are several examples of effervescent products that may be madewith the solvent of the present invention, for example, including, butnot limited to, a carpet cleaner, a glass cleaner, a laundry detergent,a hard surface cleaner/disinfectant, and an all-purpose cleaner. Thevarious cleaners and detergents that may be made from the solvent of thepresent invention may be in tablet, granular, or powder form. When intablet form, the various cleaners and detergents may be dissolved in aliquid solution to form a cleaning solution. The liquid solution in thepreferred embodiment is water, but may also be any liquid suitable fordissolving and using the cleaner of the present invention, including forexample, but not limited to, an alcohol, e.g., low molecular weightalcohols such methanol, propanol and isopropanol; an aldehyde, e.g.,formaldehyde or acetaldehyde; or a ketone, e.g., a low molecular weightketone such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone, ormethyl propyl ketone. Table 1 below gives exemplary products in the formof detergent or cleaner tablets that may be made with the solvent andthe present invention, and the volume of liquid in which the respectivecleaner may be dissolved to form a cleaning solution.

TABLE 1 Exemplary Products and Dilution Volumes Approximate ProductApproximate Dilution Product Weight (g) Volume laundry detergent 30-12012 gallon carpet cleaner 25-100  1 gallon all-purpose cleaner 10-40  1liter glass cleaner 7-30 1 liter

The above weight and volume ranges are merely possible embodiments ofthe cleaners or detergents of the present invention, and other possibleweight ranges would be known by those skilled in the art based on thedisclosure herein. For example, in each example, dosages less thanspecified could be used with reduced performance and higher doses couldalso be used, but may result in wasting of the cleaning product. Thepreferred embodiment of each example given above follows: for thelaundry detergent, approximately two 30-gram tablets or one sixty-gramtablet is used in a typical wash load of approximately 12 gallons; forthe carpet cleaner, approximate 50 grams of cleaner is dissolved inapproximately one gallon of liquid solution; for the all-purposecleaner, approximately 19 grams of cleaner is dissolved in one liter ofliquid solution; for the glass cleaner, approximately 15 grams ofcleaner is dissolved in approximately one liter of liquid solution.

The effervescent carpet cleaner that may be made from the carrier of thepresent invention can include liquid ingredients in an amount up to 50%by weight of the carpet cleaner. For example, but not limited to,approximately 23% by weight of the composition may be a solvent, whichhad not previously been accomplished in previous carpet cleaners.Further, the exemplary embodiment of the carpet cleaner using thecarrier of the present invention man include surfactant in an amount,for example, but not limited to, approximately 20% by weight of thecomposition, which is four times the usual concentration of surfactantthat has been used heretofore in effervescent cleaners. Additionally,this exemplary embodiment of the carpet cleaner may include a fragrancein an amount, for example, but not limited to, approximately 3% byweight of the composition. Thus, this exemplary carpet cleaner mayinclude liquid ingredients in an amount, for example, but not limitedto, 46% by weight of the effervescent cleaner, which is five to tentimes the amount that was previously possible for the liquidconcentration. Further, the carpet cleaner tablet made using the carrierof the present invention has a dissolution time of less than fiveminutes at 40° C.

Another example of a cleaner that may be produced using the carrier ofthe present invention is a glass cleaner. The glass cleaner may be madein, for example, but not limited to, granular or tablet form. The glasscleaner may incorporate liquid ingredients in an amount up to 50% byweight of the glass cleaner. In an exemplary embodiment, the glasscleaner may include, for example, but is not limited to, 30% solvent byweight of the composition, which had not previously been accomplished inconventional effervescent products. Further, this exemplary glasscleaner may include, for example, but is not limited to, 5% by weightsurfactant, and therefore rendering the liquid ingredients in an amount,for example, but not limited to, 35% by weight of the composition.Further, the glass cleaner also has a dissolution time of less thanapproximately five minutes at approximately 40° C.

Another example of a possible cleaner that may be produced using thecarrier of the present invention is a laundry detergent. This laundrydetergent may include liquid ingredients in an amount up to 50% byweight of the laundry detergent. In an exemplary embodiment of thelaundry detergent, the liquid surfactant may be present in an amount,for example, but not limited to, 24% by weight of the composition, anamount that had not previously been accomplished in effervescentcleaners. This exemplary laundry detergent may also include, forexample, but not limited to, 5% fragrance, which is two to five timesthe amount that has been used in typical effervescent formulas. Thelaundry detergent has a dissolution time of less than five minutes at20° C.

Another example of a possible cleaner that may be produced using thecarrier of the present invention is a hard surface cleaner/disinfectant.This hard surface cleaner may include liquid ingredients in an amount upto 50% by weight of the hard surface cleaner/disinfectant. In anexemplary embodiment of the hard surface cleaner, the solvent may bepresent in an amount, for example, but not limited to, 24% by weight ofthe composition, an amount that had not previously been accomplished inconventional hard surface cleaners. This exemplary hard surface cleanermay also include, for example, but not limited to, 15% quaternaryammonium salts (quat), which is five times the amount that has been usedin conventional effervescent tablets. This exemplary hard surfacecleaner may additionally include surfactants in an amount, for example,but not limited to, 5% by weight of the composition, and liquid activeingredients in an amount, for example, but not limited to, approximately39% by weight of the composition. The hard surface cleaner also has adissolution time of less than approximately five minutes atapproximately 40° C.

Also included within the scope of the present invention is a method formaking an effervescent compound that includes the steps of providing asolvent, providing an effervescent system in powder form, and mixing thesolvent with the effervescent system, thereby producing a free-flowingeffervescent compound. The method may also include the steps ofcompressing the compound and forming either granules or a tablet of theeffervescent compound. The solvent used in the step of providing asolvent is preferably both hydrophilic and has low solubility witheffervescent ingredients. The solvent may be, for example, but is notlimited to, a glycol ether, e.g., 2-butoxyethanol. The effervescentsystem used in the step of providing an effervescent system in powderform may be, for example, but is not limited to ESPB and/or a mixture ofan acid and one or more of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate,potassium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate. The method may furtherinclude the steps of providing other ingredients in a powder form thatare to be mixed with the solvent and the effervescent system, therebyproducing the effervescent compound. These ingredients include, but arenot limited to, any one or any combination of the following:surfactants, bleaching compositions, optical brighteners,anti-redeposition agents, binders, lubricants, colors, and/orfragrances. If necessary, these ingredients may be mixed with ordissolved in the solvent of the present invention, and, if necessary,distilled to remove any water or low boiling-point alcohol or any liquidwith a boiling point lower than that of the solvent. The resultingliquid can then be used in the effervescent compound. It should be notedthat the resulting effervescent compound including the solvent of thepresent invention is stable and has good tableting and dissolutioncharacteristics.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thepresent invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merelypossible examples of implementations, and are merely set forth for aclear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variationsand modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) ofthe invention without departing substantially from the spirit andprinciples of the invention. All such modifications and variations areintended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure andthe present invention and protected by the following claims.

Therefore, having thus described the invention, at least the followingis claimed:
 1. An effervescent composition comprising: a glycol ethersolvent that is both hydrophilic and has low solubility witheffervescent ingredients and comprises from approximately 23% up toapproximately 50% by weight of the composition; and an effervescentsystem.
 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises2-butoxyethanol.
 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the effervescentsystem comprises expanded anhydrous sodium perborate.
 4. The compositionof claim 1, wherein the effervescent system comprises: an acid and oneor more of sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium carbonateand potassium carbonate.
 5. The composition of claim 1, furthercomprising a bleaching composition.
 6. The composition of claim 1,further comprising an anti-redeposition agent.
 7. The composition ofclaim 1, further comprising a binder.
 8. The composition of claim 1,further comprising a lubricant.
 9. The composition of claim 1, furthercomprising a color.
 10. The composition of claim 1, further comprisingan optical brightener.
 11. The composition of claim 1, furthercomprising a fragrance.
 12. The composition of claim 1, furthercomprising a surfactant.
 13. The composition of claim 12, wherein thesurfactant is selected from the group consisting of: synthetic anionicsurfactants which are water-soluble; alkali metal salts of organicsulfates and sulfonates; non-ionic surfactants which are the reactionproducts of alkylene oxide with alkyl phenol or primary or secondaryalcohols; amine oxides; phosphine oxides; dialkyl sulphoxides;amphoteric surfactants; zwitterionic surfactants; and soaps.
 14. Amethod for making an effervescent composition comprising the steps of:providing a glycol ether solvent that is both hydrophilic and has lowsolubility with effervescent ingredients in an amount from approximately23% up to approximately 50% by weight of the compound; providing aneffervescent system in powder form; and mixing the solvent with theeffervescent system, thereby producing a free-flowing effervescentcompound.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:compressing the effervescent composition; and forming granules of theeffervescent composition.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprisingthe steps of: compressing the effervescent composition; and forming atablet from the effervescent composition.
 17. The method of claim 14,wherein the step of providing a solvent comprises providing2-butoxyethanol.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the step ofproviding an effervescent system comprises providing expanded anhydroussodium perborate.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the step ofproviding an effervescent system comprises providing an acid and one ormore of sodium bicarbonate; sodium carbonate; potassium bicarbonate andpotassium carbonate.
 20. A detergent comprising: a glycol ether solventthat is both hydrophilic and has low solubility with effervescentingredients and comprises from approximately 23% up to approximately 50%by weight of the detergent; and an effervescent system.
 21. Thedetergent of claim 20, wherein the detergent is a laundry detergent. 22.The detergent of claim 20, wherein the detergent is granular.
 23. Thedetergent of claim 20, wherein the detergent is a tablet.
 24. A carpetcleaner comprising: a glycol ether liquid ingredient in an amount fromapproximately 23% up to approximately 50% by weight of the carpetcleaner; and an effervescent system.
 25. The carpet cleaner of claim 24,wherein the carpet cleaner is granular.
 26. The carpet cleaner of claim24, wherein the carpet cleaner is a tablet.
 27. The carpet cleaner ofclaim 24, wherein the cleaner is between approximately 25 andapproximately 100 grams, and wherein the carpet cleaner furthercomprises approximately 1 gallon of water, to form a carpet cleaningsolution.
 28. An all-purpose cleaner comprising: a glycol ether solventthat is both hydrophilic and has low solubility with effervescentingredients and comprises from approximately 23% up to approximately 50%by weight of the all-purpose cleaner; and an effervescent system. 29.The all-purpose cleaner of claim 28, wherein the all-purpose cleaner isgranular.
 30. The all-purpose cleaner of claim 28, wherein theall-purpose cleaner is a tablet.
 31. The all-purpose cleaner of claim28, wherein the all-purpose cleaner is between approximately 10 andapproximately 40 grams, and wherein the all-purpose cleaner furthercomprises approximately 1 liter of water, to form an all-purposecleaning solution.
 32. A glass cleaner comprising: a glycol ether liquidingredient in an amount from approximately 23% up to approximately 50%by weight of the glass cleaner; and an effervescent system.
 33. Theglass cleaner of claim 32, wherein the glass cleaner is granular. 34.The glass cleaner of claim 32, wherein the glass cleaner is a tablet.35. The glass cleaner of claim 32, wherein the glass cleaner is betweenapproximately 7 and approximately 30 grams, and wherein the glasscleaner further comprises approximately 1 liter of water, to form aglass cleaning solution.